Toshiba Satellite Radius 12 review

The Toshiba Satellite Radius 12 seems like such a promising laptop, incorporating a powerful processor, 4K screen and all the versatility of a hybrid laptop packed into a small Ultrabook. However, basic flaws hamper this machine in a big way, making it hard to recommend for anyone but creative types with the keenest eye for color accuracy.

We liked

The 4K screen is simply spectacular. Whether you're a photographer or just looking to watch some movies on this laptop, the vibrancy and color accuracy of the Radius 12's screen is among the best I've ever seen.

At the same time, the solid performance you can get out of this machine shows that 4K Ultrabook have at last come into their own as reliable devices for life and work. Well, so long as this particular laptop is plugged into a wall socket.

We disliked

Although I really enjoy playing around with Radius 12, it suffers from some glaring issues that hamper everyday use namely the keyboard for starters. Layout issues aside, the keys themselves are simply too small to comfortably type on for long stretches, and there's no reason for the buttons to be as short as they are.

I'm not a fan of the short battery life, either. With an Ultrabook, you come expecting a battery life of five hours at a minimum, and the Radius 12 doesn't deliver on this. Instead, you'll be lucky to get four hours of usage out of this 12-inch convertible, while some key competitors can last for nearly twice as long.

Final verdict

The Toshiba Satellite Radius 12 is an attractive little package, with its reserved looks and one of the industry's best 4K displays. While this laptop is clearly batting in the Ultrabook major leagues, it simply suffers too many flaws to compete with nigh-perfected systems, like the Dell XPS 13 and Lenovo Yoga 900. Both machines, hands down, offer better keyboard and much longer battery life to boot.

Though the Dell XPS 13 is the most expensive option, this Ultrabook is also one of the best designed machines that's currently hard to beat. The Radius 12 appeals most to creative professionals who need a super portable laptop with an extremely color accurate screen. Otherwise, I would strongly recommend the refined, longer-lasting Yoga 900 as a lower-cost convertible alternative.